NEW ORLEANS – Coach Steve Kerr joked with his team on Thursday, reminding the Warriors they are in last place in the Pacific Division.
Well, they are, sharing the cellar with the Phoenix Suns. Losing the season opener at home to the Spurs forced the Warriors to lug a 0-1 record on a three-game road trip.
They can dig their way out of the bottom Friday night, when they face Anthony Davis and the Pelicans, who also lost their season opener, at Smoothie King Center.
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BETTING LINE
Warriors by 11
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Draymond Green vs. Davis. Davis dominated in the season opener, totaling 50 points, 16 rebounds, seven steals, five assists and four blocks in a loss to Denver. Davis is healthy and realizes he may have to carry the Pelicans. Green has gotten as far as he has because he lives for such challenges.
Golden State Warriors
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: C Damian Jones (R pectoral surgery) is listed as out.
Pelicans: G Tyreke Evans (R knee recovery), G Jrue Holiday (family leave) and F Quincy Pondexter (L knee recovery) are listed as out.
SERIES HISTORY
The Warriors have won 13 of the last 14 meetings between the teams, including a 3-0 sweep last season.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1. The Warriors won’t say it, but all signs point to them frequently double-teaming Davis. This would seem like a wise strategy considering his fellow frontcourt starters (center Omer Asik and small forward Solomon Hill) combined for four points in the Pelicans’ season-opening loss.
2. In his first two seasons on the job, Kerr took the approach of one of his mentors, Phil Jackson, rarely calling timeouts to slow an opponent. All indications are the team’s dramatic roster turnover likely will force him to use them more often, simply to ensure everyone is on message.
3. The most explosive collegiate scorer last season was Oklahoma guard Buddy Hield, now a New Orleans rookie. Coach Alvin Gentry has been experimenting with Hield as a Sixth Man, providing instant offense off the bench. The Pelicans need scoring beyond Davis, and the Warriors are keenly aware of the streaky shooter.